Mr. President,

I thank the Republic of Mozambique for convening this important meeting, and welcome His Excellency President Nyusi presiding over this debate. I also thank Secretary-General Guterres, President Assoumani of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union for their briefings. 

Currently, terrorist activities are growing and spreading around the world. Regional terrorist organizations in Africa, such as Boko Haram, Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and Al-Shabab, are colluding with Da'esh and Al-Qaeda to cause trouble, and regional hotspots remain volatile. There is still a long way to go to eradicate terrorist threat. The international community must respond to African countries' urgent needs and aspirations, and work jointly to help them address the most pressing challenges and the root causes of terrorism.

First, we need to build international consensus over counter-terrorism. Terrorism is a common challenge for humanity. The fight against terrorism is not about one country or one region. In the face of the complex and intertwined security challenges,President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Security Initiative(GSI),stressing that we should stay committed to maintaining security in both traditional and non-traditional domains and work together to seek long-term solutions. In the GSI Concept Paper, China further calls on strengthening the UN's role as the central coordinator in the global fight against terrorism, and supporting the international community in fully implementing the UN General Assembly and Security Council counter-terrorism resolutions and the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. In the context of this year's Eighth Review of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, we need to take stock of our past experience, coordinate our actions, promote solidarity, and consolidate the global united front against terrorism.

Second, we need to enhance Africa's ability to safeguard peace independently. Africa is at the forefront of international counter-terrorism efforts, and many African countries, including Mozambique, have made strenuous efforts for the cause. The Security Council is duty-bound to support Africa in its fight against terrorism. The international community should further strengthen international counter-terrorism cooperation with Africa, push for global counter-terrorism resources to be weighted further toward African countries, and increase support in terms of funding, equipment, intelligence and logistical supplies, so that African countries can truly have the ability to maintain their own security and stability. The arms embargoes imposed by the Security Council on Sudan, South Sudan and other countries have had negative impacts on enhancing the security capacity of the countries concerned and should be adjusted or lifted in a timely manner.

Third, we need to eliminate the breeding ground for terrorism. The reasons behind terrorism are complex, and the root causes are mostly development issues. President Xi Jining has proposed the Global Development Initiative that focuses on solving the problem of unbalanced and inadequate development between and within countries, and jointly fostering a global community of development with a shared future. The initiative places special emphasis on aligning the Belt and Road Initiative, Agenda 2063 of the AU, the New Partnership for Africa's Development and the Partnership for Africa's Development with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and on synergizing the strengths of the relevant multilateral cooperation mechanisms to seek common development. Africa has unlimited potentials for development and a promising future ahead of it.

China calls on the international community to increasingly listen to the voices of African countries, give greater prominence to the development agenda,take practical steps to support Africa in eliminating poverty and achieving sustainable development, and help African countries fundamentally eradicate terrorist threat.

Fourth, we need to strengthen cooperation between the United Nations and African regional organizations. No peace in Africa, no security in the world. The United Nations must work closely with the AU and sub-regional organizations in Africa in response to the security challenges in Africa. China welcomes the UNSG's upcoming proposal to provide financial support to AU-led peace operations, which deserves careful consideration by the Security Council. The Security Council must make full use of the annual consultation mechanism with the Peace and Security Council of the AU to coordinate and build synergy on counter-terrorism issues in Africa. African countries look to UN peacekeeping operations for support in counter-terrorism efforts.

The Secretariat needs to pay high attention to that and, on the premise of upholding the objectives and mandates of peacekeeping operations, promote better alignment of peacekeeping operations with the needs of African countries.

Mr. President,

China and Africa are good friends, good partners and good brothers. China is always a staunch force for peace and security in Africa. China will continue to uphold the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and of pursuing the greater good and shared interests put forth by President Xi Jinping, and fully implement the peace and security program announced at the 8th Ministerial Meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. We will deliver military assistance to the AU and regional countries, and through the China-UN Peace and Development Trust Fund, help African countries formulate counter-terrorism plans and provide funds for counter-terrorism capacity building in Africa. China and Africa jointly put forward the Initiative on Partnership for Africa's Development in the Security Council, injecting powerful impetus to African development. We will continue to implement the Global Security Initiative and the Global Development Initiative, work with Africa to build a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future, and make greater contribution to lasting peace and sustainable development in Africa.

Thank you, Mr. President.